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Egypt not on a ‘proper path to democracy,’ suggests Egypt deputy PM, who blames Morsy
By Mick Krever, CNN
On the day former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy emerged from four months of military captivity to face trial, Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Bahaa el-Din implied to CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that Egypt is not on a “proper path to democracy,” while blaming that state of affairs on Morsy.
Bahaa el-Din said that it was under Morsy’s presidency that “freedoms began to be taken” and “the constitution was no longer upheld.”
“Having said this,” he said, “we need to keep our eyes fixed on not continuing in that road, and as quickly as possible, as strongly as possible, going back to a proper path of democracy.”
The deputy prime minister represents a voice of moderation in the interim government at a time when Egypt has become hyperpolarized, violent, and politically bewildering.
He admitted to Amanpour that compromise had become a “dirty word” in Egypt.
“Egyptians are suffering,” Bahaa el-Din said. “But let’s make no mistake about this: Egyptians are suffering as a result of the policies that were adopted particularly during the year of the reign of ex-President Morsy.”
But the deputy prime minister said he was urging all political actors in Egypt not to lose sight “what is essential” to the people, which he identified as economic recovery and “the preservation of the democratic path.”
“It’s a time of polarization at a very high level. And it is precisely during those times that one has to try and look at what is ultimately better for Egypt, and better for the Egyptians,” he said.
“I do believe that at some point we will have to reconsider and look at how to, you know, bring back into the political fold various political parties.”
That does not mean that “those who committed crimes” will be included in that process, he said, referring tacitly to Morsy and other Muslim Brotherhood leaders.
But Egypt must “ensure that the youth who have entered politics perhaps on good faith, who have lost their way along the path, are not left out.”
Bahaa el-Din’s most public crusade as a moderate has been to try to restrain a proposed law that could severely curb public assembly.
“Once violence breaks down a society, once there are killings, once there are churches being burned down, once there are confrontations in the street, then you have to ensure that we do not as a society pay the price by forgoing freedoms and rights that Egyptians, and the youth in particular, for such a long time,” he said.
“I think we should expect some things to happen in the right way, some things will take more time, some things to be bumpy – but at the end what matters is whether we are progressing in the right direction, and I think we are.”
@camanpour on Twitter
Amanpour, do you really agree to post that Headline that Ziad suggested that "Egypt is not on the right path of Democracy.". He never mentioned that in the video. On the contrary he said "I think we are..." , talking about "the right direction" towards democracy. Please review and amend. It's an improfessional headline , let alone sending the wrong message about you and CNN. Or is it the "right" message and we don't know?. Don't lose your integrity.
CNN became Al Jazeera USA. Christiane called Esam El Aryian a moderate!!!! give me a break. She is is following the talking points given to her.
So true! What a disgrace CNN has become. I wish politicians would stop doing interviews with CNN to avoid having their words twisted that way.
Anti-Muslim nazis and fascists control the media right now. they just call some one terrorists and kill thousands of people without any repercussions.
You are absolutely right, she must amen, but she will never does. The coming days and week, very soon, they will shut up when the reality become on the table for all of them who hate the real Egyptians.
sorry, must amend not amen
Are you Egyptian Sarah Palin ?
She is also fan of real Americans.
As long as it is quoted like “proper path to democracy,” he said this. Or you may better leave your ears for the formal Egyptian media. I think you will always hear what you and Sisi need to hear.
Exactly , these people are fascists, they don't even have decency of a single finger nail of Morsi.
Yeh right direction with Massacres of political opponents, banning of media, imprisoning people, destroying other political parties, what a right direction you are going.
I agree with Ashraf, CNN has lost it's integrity long time back, so does BBC as a matter of fact, they are competing with Al Jazzira, so best that self respecting officials should never appear on these channels, who for what ever reason are not tell the true or balanced story, have you seen any coverage for the terror attack that killed two little girls in front of the church? these media outlets will drown in their own,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24605130
Yeh, After banning all the opposition media in Egypt now you try to ban CNN too, This only shows your fascist nature.
Wow are those commenting even taking the time to read the article?
As for the article all I can see is the deputy PM blaming Morsi and the MB for every evil that befalls Egypt. Really? They've been blamed for everything since taking power and now that they're all behind bars it still continues to be the case?
Miss Amanpour, I always watch and follow your program, which I think, one of the best in CNN.
I fully agree with the above mentioned comment of Ashraf Saleheen. I tried hard to find out at which part of his answers and comments, Dr. Ziad said or suggested that " Egypt is not on a proper path to Democracy", but I couldn't find or conclude such a statement.
I agree with Ashraf,
Please keep integrity and professionalism.
Quality is getting very bad at CNN.
He says they want to get back to a proper path to democracy which implies that they are no longer on one.
The persistent, tireless masses that march daily in every corner of Egypt calling for the downfall of the junta rule prove that what happened on July 3rd was a coup in its ugliest and purest form. What Egypt witnessed in the short weeks after, is undoubtedly one of its darkest moments in history. Sisi's regime is characterized by killings, gross human rights abuse, political repression, ethnic persecution, genocide and extrajudicial imprisonment. Sadly, Egypt has digressed to state of nepotism, curfews, and emergency laws, not to mention severe economic mismanagement. Democracy?? I don't think so.
Egypt is gone. Just like all other arab spring countries. Just pray it does not break into pieces.
How is it possible to have a future democratic election when people are too scared to vote for any party with Islamic values, because the military will immediately come on to the streets again as they did with the Brotherhood and shoot hundreds or even thousands of Egyptians who dared vote for a non-secularist party ? Citizens will be intimidated by the brutal act that they witnessed a few months earlier. Maybe the current deputy PM Ziad is right to have doubts about the current path Egypt is taking. Anyway, who really are the 'secularists' that are demonstrating in the streets ? Are they angry old Mubarak supporters ? or are they greedy upper middle class who want more in the country at the expense of the poor ? Who really are the good guys and who are the bad guys here ? Egypt is a poor country at present who needs a humane president who will fight for the working class and the poor as well. Not just for the middle class.
Yet another scandal for CNN. The headline has nothing to do with the interview. In fact, it is the exact opposite of what Dr. Bahaa el-Din is saying! Read along to discover that he is blaming it on the former regime, that of Morsy and the Muslim Brotherhood for whom CNN continues to be biased! You are in love with radical Islamists it seems, but your readers have nothing to do with your Islamophilia! They deserve some honesty and integrity in the news coverage they receive.
Besides, Krever and Amanpour, logically speaking, if the Egyptian deputy prime minister actually thinks that the country "is not on a proper path to democracy," why the hell does he continue to be part of this government?
Dr. Bahaa el-Din says "Egyptians are suffering as a result of the policies that were adopted particularly during the year of the reign of ex-President Morsy." These are his words. How about this for a headline? How about sticking to the truth for a change? Epic fail, CNN!
If the Deputy Prime Minister thinks that they are moving in the right direction why such pessimism to be pronounced, that too at a time when mischief makers are trying to create tension in the society. He should have a clear cut mind rather than a confused one while talking to an international correspondent.
don't expect integrity from the Iranian Amanpour. She has an agenda which she follows, no matetr on what topic.she should retire asap
Difficult to believe Egypt is progressing in the right direction if it puts a lawfully elected President on trial in a case drawn up by the people who deposed him in a military coup.
I think Egypt is not a democracy until the country begin to give rights to minorities... Right now Baha'is don't have rights in Egypt... and a friend of mine was obligated to stop her university studies because she is Baha'i...
I think hate for religion belief should not exist... look what is happening to Islamic people in China... look what Christian and Baha'is suffer in Egypt and Iran...
Honestly Morsi was not a good president because he was being cruel to a part of his country population... and only because they have other belief...
Yeh , blame Morsi for every thing from massacres to child birth in your home.
"former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy"
Mursi is still the current president in spite of the bloody coup executed by a bunch of mentally ill persons financially sponsored by rulers who fear democracy to crawl to their hijacked countries.
Let me get this right: CNN and the Whitehouse are concerned about democracy in Egypt, Morsi and his Brotherhood. So, the United States and its 'not so' biased press are preoccupied and agonising over democracy in Egypt, while the NSA is blatantly spying on US citizens and friendly foreign heads of democratic governments (think Merkel) .. and G-D knows what else!
For us, Morsi was an imbecile who was out of his depth but acted knowingly as a blunt instrument for his Brotherhood to render the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary branches of government ineffectual. The untenable dream of a Caliphate was the catalyst to his project in dismantling the nation state of Egypt.
The Egyptian people did not accept that. We have the longest history, reasonable traditional values and a uniquely lovely culture that cannot be intimidated and wiped out by some 'nomads' into oblivion. Is there anyone who would accept that? I think NOT.
Long live Egypt and long live the human spirit.
The headline is misleading and comes contrary to what the guest says!!!!!!!!!!!